Mike,

The method you describe is exactly the method I provide in the plans for my boats. It is simple, effective and ensures that the lip always fits on the coaming riser. I use small strips for the riser just as in Nick's book, eight thin laminations of Mahogany glued with resin for lip and scrap strips as temporary spacers under lip so dimensions are in the neighbourhood of:

: A= .5 - .625 in.
: B= .25 in.
: C= .5 - .625 in.
: D= .25 inch

Build each half separately. Extend each end past centerline and mark and cut after. Clean up bottom side, glue back on, cut riser to lip height, plane down and final shape, then coat with resin. Use epoxy thin and thick to glue back on. Pros - many. Can shape lip off boat as you suggest, always fits, no steaming, even distance to deck surface, strong as nails (eight laminations with resin as glue), no need to wrap cloth around lip, just on both sides of riser and wrapped to deck. Cons - do not use a very hard wood that will not absorb resin when gluing back on, hence mahogany.

Rod